MOBILE CINEMA
(Cine Movil)
Argentina
The “Mobile Cinema ” (Cine móvil) program focuses on the concept of using movies as a means to promote
diversity and strengthen local and national identities by bringing films and projectors to places that do not
have movie theaters.
Needs Addressed
The need to strengthen the protection of cultural diversity in the construction of the country’s identity has
brought about the creation of different programs of cultural action. Taking into account the impact of new
information and communication technology on the preservation of different manners of cultural expressions,
strategies have been developed with the aim of achieving social and cultural integration at the national level.
Beginning with the recognition of the critical importance of developing cultural industries in order to
preserve diverse cultural conceptions and practices in the context of globalization and marked economic
integration, the Mobile Cinema program has been created among others, with the strong assurance that the
achievement of its objectives have up to now been sustained.
Objectives
To foster the promotion of cultural diversity and to strengthen local and national identities through the
dissemination of movies in regions that do not have movie theaters.
Starting date, coverage and target group
The project began in 1997, with a national scope. The program targets the entire population, not
discriminating in terms of sex or age. It is especially meant for inhabitants of regions that do not have movie
theaters, especially areas that are distant from urban centers or considered to be difficult to access.
Description
In a meeting with the Federal Assembly that took place in April 1995, the secretaries of culture of the
provincial government proposed to the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts (INCAA) of the
Cultural Secretariat of the Nation, the need to obtain mobile projection equipment in order to bring national
cinema to areas that did not house movie theaters. It was in this manner that in 1997, 24 mobile units were
collected with projection systems for videos, sound, screens and illumination. A covenant was signed that
same year with each responsible authority from the provinces; this project was launched with a national scope
and was decentralized, with a program being implemented in each province. Each province makes use of the
projection equipment for national movies of both long and short footage in places distant from urban centers
or difficult to access. Each province entrusts itself with the programming of the movies to be shown, without
intervention by the national government. At the local level, support is received from the municipalities that
interact with organizations of civil society. The participants are people of all ages and gender that are inspired
to attend and become involved and experiment with the films shown.
With the use of videos, sound, illumination and screens, the program proceeds to the project movies in
different places, usually in schools, hospitals, municipalities, libraries, associations, plazas and jails. Given
that Mobile Cinema is equipped with an electric generator, the projections may be seen in places where
electricity is not supplied, as has occurred in various experiences. From the beginning, other activities have
been carried out, such as the incorporation of clowns in functions for children. These scenes are recorded on
film and are later shown as previews to a movie.
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UNIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND CULTURE
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
The provinces have asked the INCAA for information about these activities. With this in mind, different
classifications and graphs are prepared with comparative statistical frames that allow for follow-up on the
development of the program throughout the country.
Financing Sources
Maintenance costs related to the operation, patenting and personnel required to operate and transport the
equipment fall under the jurisdiction of the provinces. The Cinema Institute (INCAA) is in charge of
insurance costs. The Institute also produces edited videos of national movies. Provincial contributions,
together with the Institute’s endeavors, enable the program to operate technically and financially.
Strengths of the Program
The strengths of the program include the achievement of social and cultural integration, through the
incorporation of experimentation in a diversity of perspectives and lifestyles in the projection of audiovisuals
and the implementation of artistic practices, among numerous inhabitants of distant regions with socially
disadvantaged conditions and high levels of poverty.
Achievements
In general, the level of effectiveness recorded is elevated, with a wide coverage of audiovisual projections in
many different areas of the country. The provinces have sustained this program with their own resources,
together with national aid, by way of technical support and videos, movies, and subsidies provided by the
INCAA. The involvement and coordination of various levels of government can be achieved with the
participation of civil society, which is fundamental to the achievement of holistic and participatory cultural
development objectives.
Challenges
Continuing to expand the project’s reach to all sectors where they can not count on theaters with projectors
throughout the whole country.
Recommendations regarding its potential transference to other contexts
It is important to consider the process and the level of de-centralization of each country, given all the
responsibilities given to the authorities at the local level.
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UNIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND CULTURE
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES